Better Block founder Jason Roberts has stepped down as the nonprofit’s board chair and has plans to turn its West Davis building into a restaurant.
Roberts announced his departure from Better Block on Dec. 8, the same day The Advocate reported on plans to rezone the Better Block’s building at 700 W. Davis St. for restaurant use.
The zoning change request was filed on behalf of the building’s owner on Nov. 15, when Roberts was still the Better Block’s board chair. He’s now listed as a board member on the nonprofit’s website.
“A few months ago, I switched to part-time, then later board only, and as of yesterday, I officially rolled off as Chair to focus on the world of restaurants and retail space,” Roberts said in his Dec. 8 announcement on social media.
Roberts says the Better Block’s lease is up and that the nonprofit decided to move a year ago.
Better Block executive director Krista Nightengale says the nonprofit is planning to move “eventually.”
“We’ve outgrown the space so we’re looking for something with a little more room,” she says. “Nothing’s finalized yet.”
Roberts says he and business partner Amy Cowan leased the building themselves over five years ago with plans for a restaurant and office but then Better Block took over the lease about three months later.
Roberts says building owner Craig Schenkel first approached him about the restaurant idea after the nonprofit decided to move.
“When Better Block said they were going to move out, he asked if we would consider doing a restaurant here,” Roberts says.
Roberts and Cowan own several restaurants, including Oddfellows and Reveler’s Hall in Bishop Arts and Frenchman All Day in New Orleans. They also own the outdoors boutique AJ Vagabonds in Bishop Arts as well as a coffee roaster, Rabble Rousers. They currently have plans to open a brewery and bakery in the space recently vacated by Chan Thai and Pho 88.
They are now planning a beer-garden concept for the Better Block building, Roberts says.
